Sunsreen Use

Sunsreen Use - The past 30 years have seen a nearly fourfold increase in the incidence of skin cancer in the United Stated. More than I millionnew cases of skin cancer will be dianosed this year alone. Although common basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas do not typically skill, malignant melanoma takes approximately 7,000 lives each year (Factsof Life, July 2002). In the last two decades, melanoma incidence has risen by 155%. Moreover, these cancers are among the most preventable cancer we have. The chief risk factor for skin cancer is well known: excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Living or vacationing in southern latitudes, participating in outdoor activities, and using tanning salons all conribute to dangerous sun exposure (J. L. Jones & Leary, 1994).

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Sunscreen Use

Sun protective behaviors are practiced consistently by less than one third of American children and more than three quarters of U.S. teens get at least one sunburn each summer (Facts of Life, July 2002). As a result, health psycologists have increased their efforts to promote safe practices. Typically, these efforts have included educational interventions designed to alert people to the risks of skin cancer and to the effectiveness of suncreen use for reducing risk (for example, R. C. Kats & Jernigan, 1991). Based on what we know about attitudinal interventions with other health habits, however, education alone is unlikely to be entirely successful (Jones & Leary, 1994).

Problem with getting people to engage in safe sun practices stem from the fact that tans are parceived to be attractive, In fact, young adults perceive people without tans (Facts of Life, July 2002). Young adults who are especially concerned with their physical appearance and who believe that tanning enhances their attractiveness  are most likely to expose themselves to ultraviolet radiation through tanning (Leary & Jones, 1993). Even people who are persuaded of the importance of safe sun habits often practice them incompletely. Many of us use an inadequate sun protection factor (SPF), and few of us apply sunscreen as often as we should during outdoor activities (Wichstrom, 1994). Nonetheless, the type of skin one has-burn only, burn then tan, or tan without burning is the strongest influence on likelihood of using sun protection (Clarke, Williams, & Arthey, 1997), suggesting that people are beginning to develop some understanding of their risk.